Well people are always harassing him for "thrillers" so maybe they're leaping at a chance to be part of his "comeback" (comeback from what? The only movie of his that needs polishing is Airbender and even that got a worse rap than it should have).
Completely disagree. For me, it started with Lady in the Water and it was down-hill from there. I saw a few hints of 'uh-oh' during The Village, but that's one that has grown on me. I would put it in the middle of his thrillers, in terms of quality.
I think the biggest problem Night has at the moment is that he's creating movies for HIMSELF, rather than for the audience. He claims his best movies are Lady in the Water and The Village--movies that most of the public and critics would completely disagree with. Why does he think these are his best movies? Because they're personal to him. What about the public??? He's forgotten the audience. /rant.